Shloka 18
The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property
विप्रौ विवदमानौ मामूचतु: स्वार्थसाधकौ । भवान् दातापहर्तेति तच्छ्रुत्वा मेऽभवद् भ्रम: ॥ १८ ॥
viprau vivadamānau mām ūcatuḥ svārtha-sādhakau bhavān dātāpaharteti tac chrutvā me ’bhavad bhramaḥ
As the two brāhmaṇas argued, each intent on his own claim, they came before me. One said, “You gave me this cow,” and the other said, “But you stole her from me.” Hearing this, I was bewildered.
FAQs
This verse conveys that the Supreme Lord controls both gain and loss—He can bestow blessings and also withdraw them—so one should not cling to possessions or ego as ultimately independent.
They were arguing to secure their own advantage, and in the course of blaming and justifying, they attributed opposing roles to the same person—creating a contradictory claim that led the listener to confusion.
When outcomes shift—profit and loss, praise and blame—remember that circumstances are not fully in our control; practice humility, avoid manipulative arguments, and accept reversals without losing faith or ethics.